Synonyms of crude

crude

adjective

ˈkrüd 

1

as in raw

being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining

a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• raw
• natural
• native
• unrefined
• unprocessed
• untreated
• rude
• undeveloped
• undressed
• in the rough
• in the raw
• unfinished
• unpolished
• impure
• uncooked
• unfiltered
• rough-hewn
• semifinished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refined
• treated
• pure
• dressed
• processed
• purified
• filtered

2

as in primitive

belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development

the crude stone tools that those prehistoric peoples used

Synonyms & Similar Words

• primitive
• rudimentary
• simple
• basic
• low
• ancient
• rude
• old
• obsolete
• early
• antiquated
• unsophisticated
• homely
• uncomplicated
• antique
• undeveloped
• embryonic
• primordial
• primeval
• underdeveloped
• backward
• homespun
• old-fashioned
• past
• out-of-date
• quaint
• dated
• aged
• antediluvian
• hoary
• old-time
• outworn
• musty
• fusty
• unmodernized
• passé
• oldfangled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• higher
• advanced
• high
• late
• evolved
• complex
• sophisticated
• developed
• complicated
• intricate
• involved
• mature
• ripe
• grown
• refined
• civilized
• modern
• matured
• perfected
• ripened
• new
• current
• enlightened
• contemporary
• cultivated
• latest
• full-blown
• novel
• present-day
• modernistic
• newfangled
• state-of-the-art
• up-to-date
• now
• mod
• ultramodern
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• supermodern

3

as in vulgar

depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society

crude jokes can be considered sexual harassment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulgar
• obscene
• pornographic
• nasty
• foul
• dirty
• gross
• filthy
• suggestive
• offensive
• unacceptable
• coarse
• lewd
• indecent
• raunchy
• bawdy
• blue
• ribald
• impure
• naughty
• obnoxious
• profane
• disgusting
• unpleasant
• lascivious
• abusive
• smutty
• trashy
• unprintable
• undesirable
• locker-room
• unwanted
• wanton
• broad
• stag
• gutter
• infamous
• X-rated
• porny
• wicked
• perverted
• salacious
• soft
• scatological
• coarse-grained
• low
• indecorous
• indelicate
• objectionable
• earthy
• depraved
• racy
• repulsive
• salty
• immodest
• off
• perverse
• unbecoming
• revolting
• gamy
• loathsome
• risqué
• barnyard
• repugnant
• unwelcome
• kinky
• abhorrent
• repellent
• distasteful
• off-color
• exceptionable
• reprehensible
• scurrilous
• atrocious
• louche
• censurable
• blameworthy
• hard-core
• debasing
• blamable
• soft-core

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• wholesome
• decent
• proper
• puritanical
• correct
• Victorian
• prudish
• polite
• staid
• innocuous
• genteel
• acceptable
• prim
• respectable
• nice
• appropriate
• decorous
• inoffensive
• desirable
• priggish
• pure
• suitable
• pleasant
• G-rated
• agreeable
• nonobscene
• straitlaced
• welcome
• pleasing
• becoming
• perfect
• meet
• seemly
• fit
• immaculate
• virginal
• spotless
• approved
• endorsed
• sanctioned

4

as in crass

lacking in refinement or good taste

any discussion of one's money is considered crude by the club's blue-blooded members

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crass
• vulgar
• rude
• coarse
• common
• gross
• rough
• clumsy
• unrefined
• uncouth
• unpolished
• rugged
• tasteless
• uncultured
• low
• lowbrow
• rough-hewn
• raffish
• uncultivated
• insensible
• illiberal
• roughneck
• ill-bred
• boorish
• rustic
• clownish
• ungentlemanly
• unsophisticated
• loutish
• lowbred
• incult
• cloddish
• thoughtless
• insensitive
• indelicate
• churlish
• oafish
• lumpish
• lubberly
• uncivilized
• inelegant
• inconsiderate
• barbaric
• provincial
• barbarous
• tacky
• countrified
• graceless
• unmannered
• unmannerly
• mannerless
• animallike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• civilized
• polished
• refined
• cultured
• tasteful
• genteel
• cultivated
• aristocratic
• elegant
• graceful
• sensitive
• courtly
• patrician
• restrained
• well-bred
• sophisticated
• thoughtful
• ultrarefined
• gracious
• considerate
• urbane
• citified

5

as in clumsy

hastily or roughly constructed

a crude hut that was constructed by some shipwrecked sailors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clumsy
• rude
• rough
• primitive
• flawed
• unrefined
• rudimentary
• imperfect
• artless
• rough-and-ready
• defective
• unfinished
• rough-and-tumble
• rough-hewn
• jerry-built
• amateur
• jury-rigged
• jerry-rigged
• faulty
• imprecise
• inexact
• unpolished
• inartistic
• amateurish
• unskilled
• unprofessional
• unskillful
• undressed
• inexpert
• unworked
• unshaped
• unshapen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refined
• perfect
• polished
• finished
• meticulous
• neat
• skillful
• sophisticated
• flawless
• well-done
• artistic
• expert
• adept
• masterful
• masterly
• precise
• artful
• exact
• faultless
• perfected
• adroit
• workmanlike
• dexterous
• practiced

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crude are raw, rough, and rude. While all these words mean "lacking in social refinement," crude may apply to thought or behavior limited to the gross, the obvious, or the primitive.

a crude joke

When could raw be used to replace crude?

In some situations, the words raw and crude are roughly equivalent. However, raw suggests being untested, inexperienced, or unfinished.

turning raw youths into polished performers

When would rough be a good substitute for crude?

The words rough and crude can be used in similar contexts, but rough is likely to stress lack of polish and gentleness.

rough manners

When might rude be a better fit than crude?

The synonyms rude and crude are sometimes interchangeable, but rude implies ignorance of or indifference to good form; it may suggest intentional discourtesy.

rude behavior